Illuminated badge system for a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

An illuminated badge system is provided for a motor vehicle. The illuminated badge system includes an illuminated badge and a controller. The controller is configured to adjust a parameter of the light emitted from the illuminated badge in response to a designated operating parameter such as the headlight status of the motor vehicle.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/873,758, filed Oct. 2, 2015, the full disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to to the motor vehicle equipment fieldand, more particularly, to an illuminated badge system for a motorvehicle that incorporates a number of unique functions and operatingfeatures.

BACKGROUND

It is known in the art for automobile manufacturers to adorn motorvehicles with a badge or logo to clearly identify the make and/or modelof the motor vehicle. This document relates to a new and improvedilluminated badge system incorporating a number of unique operatingfeatures adapted to clearly distinguish the motor vehicle from othermakes and enhance the satisfaction of the vehicle operator.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, anilluminated badge system is provided for a motor vehicle. Thatilluminated badge system comprises an illuminated badge and a controllerwhich is configured to adjust a parameter of light emitted from theilluminated badge in response to headlight status of the motor vehicle.

In one possible embodiment, the controller is further configured toadjust a parameter of light emitted from the illuminated badge inresponse to a transmission state of the motor vehicle. In yet anotherpossible embodiment, the controller is further configured to adjust aparameter of light emitted from the illuminated badge in response to thedetection of a signal from a key fob not matched to the motor vehicle.In any embodiment, the adjusted parameter may, for example, be the lightintensity of the badge, the light color of the badge or both the lightintensity and the light color of the badge.

In one possible embodiment, the illuminated badge has a first portionilluminated in a first color and a second portion illuminated in asecond color. In such an embodiment, the controller may be configured toadjust a parameter of light emitted from either or both portions of theilluminated badge in response to any motor vehicle parameter of interestthat is being monitored. Such parameters include, but are notnecessarily limited to, motor vehicle speed, ambient light conditionsand whether the motor vehicle is attended or unattended. Further, thecontroller may be configured to monitor a battery charge state of themotor vehicle and deactivate the illuminated badge when the batterycharge status falls below a predetermined level.

In accordance with still another aspect, a method is provided ofcontrolling a parameter of light emitted from an illuminated badge of amotor vehicle. That method may be broadly described as comprising thestep of adjusting the parameter, by means of a controller, in responseto headlight status of the motor vehicle. Further, that method mayinclude adjusting the parameter, by means of a controller, in responseto a transmission state of the motor vehicle. Further, that method mayinclude adjusting the parameter, by means of a controller, in responseto the detection of a signal from a key fob not matched to the motorvehicle.

In yet another embodiment, the method may include the step of adjustingthe parameter by means of a controller in response to one or more ofvehicle speed, current ambient light conditions and whether the motorvehicle is attended or unattended.

Still further, the method may include illuminating a first portion ofthe illuminated badge in a first color and a second portion of theilluminated badge in a second color. Further, the method may includeadjusting, by means of a controller, the intensity of light emitted fromthe first portion of the illuminated badge and the second portion of theilluminated badge in response to the sensitivity of the human eye to thefirst color and the second color.

In the following description, there are shown and described severalpreferred embodiments of the illuminated badge system as well as theassociated method of controlling a parameter of light emitted from anilluminated badge of a motor vehicle. As it should be realized, thesystem and associated method are capable of other, different embodimentsand their several details are capable of modification in various,obvious aspects all without departing from the system and associatedmethod as set forth and described in the following claims. Accordingly,the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative innature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the illuminatedbadge system and together with the description serve to explain certainprinciples thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a detailed front elevational view of an illuminated badgedisplayed on a radiator grille of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the illuminated badge system thatis the subject matter of this document.

FIG. 3 is a graph depicting the overall luminosity of blue, green, redand white light.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of the illuminated badge system and associated method,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 illustrating an illuminated badge 10mounted on a radiator grille 12 of a motor vehicle. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the illuminated badge 10 includes a first portion and associatedlight source 14 in a first color, such as silver, and a second portionand associated light source 16 in a second color, such as blue. Asillustrated, the first portion 14 spells out the motor vehiclemanufacturer's name “Ford” while the second portion 16 provides anoval-shaped background.

References is now made to FIG. 2 schematically illustrating theilluminated badge system 20 that is the subject matter of this document.As illustrated, the illuminated badge system 10 includes the illuminatedbadge 10 with the first portion 14 illuminated in a first color and thesecond portion 16 illuminated in a second color. Each portion 14, 16 ofthe illuminated badge 10 is connected to a controller 22. Note controlline 24 between the controller 22 and the first portion 14 and controlline 26 between the controller 22 and the second portion 16.

The controller 22 comprises a computing device such as a dedicatedmicroprocessor or an electronic control unit (ECU) operating ondirection from appropriate control software. Thus, the controller 22 maycomprise one or more processors, one or more memories and one or morenetwork interfaces which communicate with each other over acommunication bus.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the controller 22 may be configuredwith various inputs. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 22includes a headlight status input 28, a transmission state input 30, akey fob signal detection input 32, a motor vehicle speed input 34, anambient light input 36, a presence sensor input 38 for determining whenthe motor vehicle is unattended, a battery charge state input 40 and arain sensor input 41.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the headlight status input 28 isconnected to a sensor, a controller, an electronic control unit or otherdevice 42 providing data respecting the headlight status of the motorvehicle: that is, whether or not the headlights are on and whether notthe headlights are on low beam or high beam.

The transmission state input 30 is connected to a sensor, a controller,an electronic control unit or other device 44 providing data respectingthe transmission state of the motor vehicle: for example, whether themotor vehicle in park, reverse or a forward gear.

The key fob signal detection input 32 is connected to a sensor, acontroller, an electronic control unit or other device 46 such as a bodycontrol module (BCM) capable of detecting key fob signals anddetermining whether the key job signal provides authorized access to themotor vehicle. The device 46 may also determine whether the detected keyfob signal is one for a vehicle made by the same manufacturer as themotor vehicle in question.

The motor vehicle speed input 34 is connected to a sensor, electroniccontrol unit or other device 48 that provides data respecting thecurrent speed of the motor vehicle.

The ambient light input 36 is connected to a light sensor, electroniccontrol unit or other device 50 that provides data respecting thecurrent ambient light conditions to which the motor vehicle issubjected.

The presence sensor input 38 is connected to a presence sensor,electronic control unit or other device 52 providing data respecting thepresence of an individual within the motor vehicle. Such a presencesensor 52 may, for example, comprise a digital camera, a sonar device, aradar device, an infrared camera, pressure sensors in the seats or otherappropriate indicators of the presence of an individual within the motorvehicle.

The battery charge state input 40 is connected to a voltage sensor, anelectronic control unit or other device 54 providing data respecting thebattery charge state of the battery of the motor vehicle. A power source56 such as a battery is connected to the controller 22 through the line58. The battery 56 is used to power the controller 22 of the illuminatedbadge system 20 as well as the portions 14, 16 of the illuminated badge10. As previously noted, each portion 14, 16 includes its own lightsource, such as one or more light emitting diodes or one or morelight-emitting diodes and associated rylene die materials adapted toglow in a particular color when excited by light from an adjacent lightsource.

Finally, the rain sensor input 41 is connected to a rain sensor, anelectronic control unit or other device 60 providing data respecting thecurrent precipitation conditions to which the motor vehicle issubjected.

The controller 22 is configured to adjust the parameter of the lightemitted from the illuminated badge 10 in response to various monitoredparameters. Where the illuminated badge 10 includes two portions 14, 16of different color, the controller 22 may be configured to adjust aparameter of a light emitted from both portions 14, 16 either togetheror independently. In one possible embodiment, the controller 22 adjuststhe intensity of light emitted from either or both portions 14, 16 ofthe badge 10, the color of light emitted from either or both portions ofthe badge or both the intensity and color of light emitted from eitheror both portions of the badge.

Thus, for example, when the controller 22 receives data at the input 28from the device 42 indicating that the low beam headlights are in use,the badge 10 including portions 14 and 16 may be illuminated at a firstintensity. In contrast, when the controller 22 receives data from thedevice 42 at the input 28 indicating that the high beam headlights arein use, the controller 22 may send a signal to the illuminated badge 10causing the first and second portions, 14, 16 to be illuminated at asecond, higher intensity so as to maintain the relative brightness andvisibility of the badge in the high beam headlights versus the low beamheadlights.

When the controller 22 receives data through the input 30 from thedevice 44 indicating that the motor vehicle transmission is in park, thesecond portion 16 of the badge 10 that is blue in color may beilluminated by the controller at a high intensity while the firstportion 14 that is silver in color may be illuminated at a lowerintensity. Thus, it should be appreciated that the controller 22illuminates the badge 10 in response to the sensitivity of the human eyeto different colors as indicated, for example, graphically in FIG. 3which illustrates the overall luminosity of blue, green, red and whitelight.

In contrast, when the input 30 receives data from the device 44indicating the transmission state of the motor vehicle is in a forwardor reverse gear, the controller 22 will increase the intensity of thelight from the first or silver/chrome portion 14 of the badge whiledecreasing the intensity of or extinguishing the light emitted by thesecond or blue portion 16 of the batch. Thus, the first portion ormanufacturer name 14 is clearly visible when the vehicle is in operationand the intensity of the light emitted by the first portion is increasedto ensure that visibility even when high beam headlights are in use aspreviously described.

The controller 22 may also be configured to respond to the speed of themotor vehicle. Thus, for example, when the controller 22 receives datato the input 34 from the device 48 indicating an increase in the speedof the motor vehicle, the controller 22 may increase the intensity ofthe light emitted from either or both portions 14, 16 of the illuminatedbadge 10. In contrast, as the motor vehicle slows, the controller mayreduce the intensity of the light emitted from either portion 14, 16 ofthe badge 10. The controller 22 may also be configured not to exceed amaximum intensity level.

The controller 22 may also be configured to be responsive to ambientlight conditions. Thus, when the input 36 receives data from the device50 indicating an increase in ambient light, the controller may increasethe intensity of light emitted from either or both portions 14, 16 ofthe badge 10. In contrast, in lower ambient light conditions, thecontroller 22 may reduce the intensity of the light emitted from eitherportion 14, 16 of the badge 10. The purpose of this is to create a lowkey and unique appearance in substantially low ambient light conditions.Similarly, it should be appreciated that the controller 22 may adjustthe intensity or color of the light emitted by either portion 14, 16 ofthe badge 10 in rainy conditions as indicated by data received at therain sensor input 41 from the rain sensor 60. Further, the controller 22may be configured so that during daytime driving, rain sensor drivenintensity will override headlight intensity. In contrast, a controllercould be configured so that headlight intensity overrides rain sensordriven intensity.

The controller 22 may also be provided with an unattended mode ofoperation. Thus, for example, in low ambient light conditions (confirmedat the input 36) when the vehicle is not running and is in an unoccupiedstate (confirmed by the presence sensor input 38 and data received fromthe device 52), the controller may continue to illuminate the badge at alow intensity for a predetermined period of time, such as 24 hours, or,for example, until the battery charge state input 40 receives data inputfrom the device 54 indicating that the battery charge state has reached50% or some other predetermined level. When the predetermined chargestate is reached, the controller then extinguishes the illuminated badge10. The controller 22 may also be configured to recognize a signal froma key fob of the manufacturer of the motor vehicle that is not matchedto the motor vehicle. Thus, when the controller 22 receives anindication of a same manufacturer, nonmatching key fob signal from thedevice 46 at the key fob signal detection input 32, the controller 22may direct either or both portions 14, 16 of the illuminated badge 10 togo to high intensity for a predetermined period of time such as 0.2seconds, so that the badge blinks as a sign of manufacturer recognitionand loyalty.

From the above, it should be appreciated that the illuminated badgesystem 20 may be utilized in a method of controlling a parameter oflight emitted from an illuminated badge 10 of a motor vehicle. Thatmethod may be broadly described as comprising the step of adjusting, bymeans of the controller 22, the parameter in response to headlightsstatus of the motor vehicle and/or the transmission status of the motorvehicle and/or the motor vehicle speed and/or ambient light conditions.The controller 22 may also adjust the parameter of light emitted fromthe illuminated badge based upon the motor vehicle being unattended.Further, the controller 22 may adjust the parameter of light emittedfrom the badge 10 in response to detection of a signal from a key fobthat is not matched to the motor vehicle. Still further, the controller22 may adjust the parameter of light emitted from the badge 10 inresponse to detection of a signal indicative of current rain orprecipitation conditions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the illuminated badge system 20 mayinclude a badge 10 with portions 14, 16 of different colors. The methodmay also include adjusting, by means of the controller 22, the intensityof light emitted from the first and second portions 14, 16 of theilluminated badge 10 in response to the sensitivity of the human to thecolors of the first and second portions.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theembodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example,the illuminated badge 10 in the illustrated embodiment includes twoportions 14, 16 in two different colors, but it should be appreciatedthat the badge may include only one portion in multiple colors or morethan two portions in different colors. Further, the badge may be totallyof a single color. All such modifications and variations are within thescope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with thebreadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

What is claimed:
 1. An illuminated badge system for a vehicle,comprising: an illuminated badge, wherein a first portion is configuredas an indicium and a second portion is configured as a border; a rainsensor operably coupled to said illuminated badge; and a controllerconfigured to include an unattended mode for illuminating saidilluminated badge at a first intensity when said vehicle is unattendedand at a second intensity when the vehicle is attended wherein the firstintensity is less than the second intensity, and wherein a parameter oflight emitted from said illuminated badge is adjusted by said controllerin response to an input received from said rain sensor, wherein saidcontroller is configured to adjust said first portion to be illuminatedin a first color at a third intensity and said second portion to beilluminated in a second color at a fourth intensity in response to atransmission state, wherein said third intensity is higher than saidfourth intensity when said vehicle is in at least one of forward andreverse gears, and wherein said fourth intensity is higher than saidsecond intensity when said vehicle is in park.
 2. The illuminated badgesystem of claim 1, wherein said controller is further configured toadjust a parameter of light emitted from said illuminated badge inresponse to transmission state of said vehicle.
 3. The illuminated badgesystem of claim 2, wherein said adjusted parameter is light intensity.4. The illuminated badge system of claim 2, wherein said adjustedparameter is light color.
 5. The illuminated badge system of claim 1,wherein said illuminated badge has a first portion illuminated in afirst color and a second portion illuminated in a second color.
 6. Theilluminated badge system of claim 1, wherein said controller is furtherconfigured to adjust a parameter of light emitted from said illuminatedbadge in response to vehicle speed.
 7. The illuminated badge system ofclaim 1, wherein said controller is further configured to adjust aparameter of light emitted from said illuminated badge in response toambient light conditions, or ambient light and rain conditions.
 8. Theilluminated badge system of claim 1, wherein said controller is furtherconfigured to monitor a battery charge state of said vehicle andextinguish said illuminated badge when said battery charge state hasfallen to a predetermined level.
 9. An illuminated badge system for avehicle, comprising: an illuminated badge having a first portionilluminated in a first color and a second portion illuminated in asecond color, wherein said first portion is configured as an indiciumand said second portion is configured as a border; and a controllerconfigured to adjust a parameter of light emitted from said illuminatedbadge in response to a transmission state of said vehicle, wherein saidcontroller is configured to adjust said first portion to be illuminatedin a first color at a first intensity and said second portion to beilluminated in a second color at a second intensity in response to saidtransmission state, wherein said first intensity is higher than saidsecond intensity when said vehicle is in at least one of forward andreverse gears, and wherein said second intensity is higher than saidfirst intensity when said vehicle is in park.
 10. The illuminated badgesystem of claim 9, wherein said adjusted parameter is light intensity.11. The illuminated badge system of claim 9, wherein said adjustedparameter is light color.
 12. The illuminated badge system of claim 9,wherein said controller is further configured to adjust a parameter oflight emitted from said illuminated badge in response to vehicle speed.13. The illuminated badge system of claim 9, wherein said controller isfurther configured to adjust a parameter of light emitted from saidilluminated badge in response to ambient light conditions, rainconditions or ambient light and rain conditions.
 14. The illuminatedbadge system of claim 9, wherein said controller is further configuredto monitor a battery charge state of said vehicle and extinguish saidilluminated badge when said battery charge state has fallen to apredetermined level.
 15. An illuminated badge system for a vehicle,comprising: an illuminated badge having a first portion illuminated in afirst color and a second portion illuminated in a second color, whereinsaid first portion is configured as an indicium and said second portionis configured as a border; a rain sensor disposed on said illuminatedbadge; and a controller configured to adjust a parameter of lightemitted from said illuminated badge in response to a headlight status ofsaid vehicle, wherein light intensity of said light is adjusted inresponse to data received from said rain sensor, wherein said controlleris configured to adjust said first portion to be illuminated in a firstcolor at a first intensity and said second portion to be illuminated ina second color at a second intensity in response to a transmissionstate, wherein said first intensity is higher than said second intensitywhen said vehicle is in at least one of forward and reverse gears, andwherein said second intensity is higher than said first intensity whensaid vehicle is in park.
 16. The illuminated badge system of claim 15,wherein said controller is further configured to adjust a parameter oflight emitted from said illuminated badge in response to transmissionstate of the vehicle.
 17. The illuminated badge system of claim 15,wherein said adjusted parameter is light intensity.
 18. The illuminatedbadge system of claim 15, wherein said adjusted parameter is lightcolor.
 19. The illuminated badge system of claim 15, wherein saidcontroller is further configured to adjust a parameter of light emittedfrom said illuminated badge in response to vehicle speed.
 20. Theilluminated badge system of claim 15, wherein said controller is furtherconfigured to adjust a parameter of light emitted from said illuminatedbadge in response to ambient light conditions, or ambient light and rainconditions.